PRE-HEALTH PATHWAYS

Your path to the health field

WCSU's Pre-Health Pathways

Prepare for success in health field graduate programs

Welcome pre-health/pre-med students! This website is designed to provide you with all of the information you need to prepare for graduate programs in health fields. This site contains important information about all of the pre-health pathways (course work related to your desired graduate degrees), sample four-year plans, and an overview of the process for applying to graduate programs. In addition, you’ll find meeting announcements, volunteer opportunities, and advising times each semester.

While this site is designed to be comprehensive, we urge you to see your advisor often. It is a good idea to set up a meeting with your pre-health advisor right away so you can develop your graduate school plans from the start of your undergraduate career.

There is no “pre-health” major at WCSU, though students can designate a pre-health pathway. For many students the biology major or the chemistry major with a biology minor or biochemistry option are programs whose requirements include many, if not all, of the courses needed for admission to these schools. For most programs, however, students may major in any subject, provided they complete the pre-requisite coursework.

Admission to all of these programs is competitive. In addition to looking at GPA and performance on standardized tests (MCAT, DAT, GRE, PCAT, OAT) programs are looking for well-rounded students whose extracurricular activities demonstrate a knowledge of and interest in their desired profession.

Want To Learn More?

Would you like to receive additional information? To speak with a pre-health advisor please follow the link below.

Upcoming Events

September 17 Meet and Greet

Come meet the pre-health advisors

5-6 p.m. 

Science Building Lobby

Dr. Helena Prieto from the Department of Chemistry, Dr. Kristin Giamanco from the Department of Biology and Dr. Emily Stevens from the Department of Health Promotion and Exercise Sciences serve as pre-health professions advisors. They can help you prepare for graduate study in any of these health-related fields (and others).

You can find us at room SB163 in the Science Building!

Dr. Kristin Giamanco

Associate Professor

(203) 837-8968
giamancok@wcsu.edu

Office Hours: Wednesdays 1-3 pm.

SB163

Dr. Giamanco advises students in the Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Veterinary and Pre-Optometry tracks

Pre-Medical Pathway
(42-46 credits of Math/Science Courses)

View Course Options ➞

Pre-Dental Pathway
(42-46 Math/Science Credits)

View Course Options ➞

Pre-Veterinary Pathway
(42-46 Math/Science Credits)

View Course Options ➞

Pre-Optometry Pathway
(39-43 Math/Science Credits)

View Course Options ➞

Dr. Helena Prieto

Professor

(203) 837-8409
prietoj@wcsu.edu

Office Hours: Th 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

SB163

Dr. Prieto advises students in the Pre-Physician’s Assistant, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Genetic Counseling and Pre-Podiatry tracks.

Pre-Physician’s Assistant Pathway
(27 credits of Math/Science courses)

View Course Options ➞

Pre-Genetic Counseling Pathway

View Course Options ➞

Pre-Podiatric Pathway

View Course Options ➞

Dr. Emily Stevens

Dr. Emily Stevens

Professor

(203) 837-3903
stevense@wcsu.edu

Office Hours: Mondays 2-3:30 pm.

WH 107A

Dr. Stevens advises students in the Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Athletic Training and Pre-Chiropractic tracks.

Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway

View Course Options ➞

Pre-Occupational Therapy Pathway

View Course Options ➞

Pre-Athletic Training Pathway

View Course Options ➞

Pre-Chiropractic Pathway

View Course Options ➞

PRE-HEALTH PROGRAMS

Click through the Pathway links to get an idea of the course requirements appropriate for your plans. There’s also a list of FAQs to help you understand some of the other steps along the way. There are sample four-year plans to help you understand the commitment you must make to prepare for a healthcare career. While these are helpful, be sure to talk to your advisor about the best process for you. In some cases, you may wish to take some of your courses during the summer to be sure that you have ample time to study and are able to maintain a strong GPA.

Schools where our alumni have been accepted and attended

Medical

St. George’s

American Univ. of Antigua

University of Connecticut

SABA University

University of Tennessee

Georgetown University

Campbell University

Ross University

Wake Forest University

Texas A&M

Ben Guiron University

Dental

Harvard Dental School

Tufts University

University of Connecticut

University of Buffalo

Touro University

Osteopathic Medicine

Univ. of New England

New York Institute of Tech

Touro University

Physician’s Assistant

University of Stony Brook

Univ. of Mt. Saint Vincent

Pace University

East Carolina University

University of Bridgeport

Mass College of Pharm and Health Sciences

Pharmacy

Long Island University

Uconn

Virgina Commonwealth Univ.

Optometry

Mass. College of Pharmacy

Occupational Therapy

Baypath University

Iona

Thomas Jefferson University

Sacred Heart University

New York University

George Washington University

Stony Brook University

Springfield College

Veterinary

Ohio University

University of Florida

Ohio State University

Tufts University

Athletic Training

SCSU

LeSalle University

CCSU (3+2)

Physical Therapy

Sacred Heart University

Seton Hall

American International College

Sage College

Dominican College

University of Rhode Island

Franklin Pierce University

Moravian University

Touro University Nevada

NY Medical College

Marist College

Mercy College

University of Delaware

Creighton University

Chiropractic

University of Bridgeport

Genetic Counseling

Uconn

Schools where our alumni have been accepted and attended

Medical

St. George’s

American Univ. of Antigua

University of Connecticut

SABA University

University of Tennessee

Georgetown University

Campbell University

Ross University

Wake Forest University

Texas A&M

Ben Guiron University

Dental

Harvard Dental School

Tufts University

University of Connecticut

University of Buffalo

Touro University

Osteopathic Medicine

Univ. of New England

New York Institute of Tech

Touro University

Physician’s Assistant

University of Stony Brook

Univ. of Mt. Saint Vincent

Pace University

East Carolina University

University of Bridgeport

Mass College of Pharm and Health Sciences

Pharmacy

Long Island University

Uconn

Virgina Commonwealth Univ.

Optometry

Mass. College of Pharmacy

Occupational Therapy

Baypath University

Iona

Thomas Jefferson University

Sacred Heart University

New York University

George Washington University

Stony Brook University

Springfield College

Veterinary

Ohio University

University of Florida

Ohio State University

Tufts University

Athletic Training

SCSU

LeSalle University

CCSU (3+2)

Physical Therapy

Sacred Heart University

Seton Hall

American International College

Sage College

Dominican College

University of Rhode Island

Franklin Pierce University

Moravian University

Touro University Nevada

NY Medical College

Marist College

Mercy College

University of Delaware

Creighton University

Chiropractic

University of Bridgeport

Genetic Counseling

Uconn

Not sure what health-related field you want to go into?

There are many different fields within the health professions that could provide a satisfying career, some of which you might never have heard of or considered. These could include fields such as speech pathology, public health, occupational therapy, anesthesiology assistant, etc. It is important to fully explore your career options to see what would be an appropriate fit for your strengths and interests. An excellent website is www.explorehealthcareers.org which lists many different professions, describes the average salary, daily working conditions, degree or education requirements, and has links to programs. It is always good to have a few different fields in mind.

Undergraduate Admissions

Cayman Bickerstaff 

  • BS Cellular Biology, University of Georgia 
  • MD, The Medical College of Georgia 
  • OBGYN resident at Danbury Hospital 

Bishoy Joseph, MD 

  • BS Biology, The University of California, Riverside 
  • MD, The American University of the Caribbean 
  • OBGYN resident at Danbury Hospital 

Kristin Giamanco 

  • Associate Professor of Biology, pre-med advisor 

Helena Prieto 

  • Professor of Chemistry, pre-PA advisor 

Jaclyn Fernandez 

  • WCSU Public Health, Allied Health, Class of 2018 
  • Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT), University of Rhode Island, Class of 2021 
  • Currently practicing physical therapist at Physical Therapy Sports Medicine Clinic (PTSMC) in Danbury, CT 

Olivia Moore 

  • WCSU Public Health, Allied Health, Class of 2022 
  • Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT), Sacred Heart University Class of 2024 
  • Currently practicing pediatric occupational therapist at Kidsense Therapy Group (sees patients in the clinic and in Bethel, CT schools) 

Hayden Turk 

  • WCSU Public Health, Allied Health (minors in Bio & Psych), Class of 2022 
  • Currently DPT student at Mercy University (Dobbs Ferry, NY), Class of 2026 

Dan Monahan 

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2018 
  • PA, Pace University at Pleasantville 
  • Currently PA in cardiac surgery at Vassar Brothers Medical Center 

Xavier Arevalo  

  • WCSU Chemistry Class of 2020 
  • MS Biomedical Sciences, Rutgers University 
  • Currently DMD student at the Ohio State University College of Dentistry 

Jennifer Hernandez 

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2021 
  • MS Biomedical Sciences, University of Pittsburgh 
  • Currently applying to medical school 

Brigette Vanegas  

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2018 
  • Physicians Assistant (PA), Stony Brook University 
  • Currently: PA at the Center for Pediatric Medicine and RTR Pediatrics 

Santiago Sanchez 

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2018 
  • Physicians Assistant (PA), Stony Brook University 
  • Currently: Primary care/internal medicine PA for Prohealth Physicians 

Michelle Cremonini  

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2017) 
  • Optometry (OD), Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and other Health Sciences University 
  • Currently: Board-certified optometrist, private practice 

Heather Rosenblatt 

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2017 
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Ohio State University 
  • Currently: Emergency Medicine Vet at MedVet Norwalk 

Layra Valdez 

  • WCSU Chemistry Class of 2019 
  • Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) at Harvard University 
  • Currently: Resident in the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program 

Katie DuFrirsz 

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2020 
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) at St. George’s School of Medicine 
  • Currently: Neurology resident at USD Sanford in Sioux Falls, SD 

Stephanie Sousa Cardoso 

  • WCSU, Health Promotion Studies Class of 2012 
  • Naturopathic Medicine (ND), University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine 
  • Currently licensed naturopathic physician in Ridgefield, CT 

Heather Rosenblatt 

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2017 
  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at Ohio State University 
  • Currently: Emergency Medicine Vet at MedVet Norwalk 

Anusha Atique 

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2019 
  • Doctorate in Dental Surgery (DDS), University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine 
  • Currently started her own dental practice in Danbury, CT 

Jonah Whiteside 

  • WCSU Biology Class of 2020 
  • Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Connecticut 
  • Currently a resident in Emergency Medicine